"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"
"Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."
"Terrific!" says St. Peter, "that's certainly worth a point."
"One point? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.
"TWO POINTS!!" the man cries, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!"
"Come on in!"
I doubt St. Peter will meet you at the gates of heaven...But I do know, the only way to Heaven is the amazing grace found in Jesus Christ! John 14:6
Genesis 18: Abraham's Grace
Would you press God like Abe did?
Hebrews 4:14-16 (approach the throne of grace with confidence)
God invites us to try to change His mind.
Three simple thoughts from this story of gutsy Abraham:
1. God hangs out with people of grace!
Gen. 18:1-5
God inhabits the praises of His people. (praising Him, praising one another)
Homebuilders: Criticism creates distance, Affirmation creates intimacy
(does this apply to our relationship with the Lord?)
Amazing Grace not cheap grace!
ROMANS 6:1-4
John 1:14 (grace AND truth)
How can you tell if someone's truly been hanging out with God? They can't help but exude amazing grace! I've met people who know their bible but act like sour grapes...this should not be!
What does grace really look like?
We talk about it so much, it may have lost some meaning...
In this series we will be looking at many different pictures of grace, tastes of grace:
Acts 11:19-24
Grace is inclusive, never exclusive!
Grace remains committed even when people are different, even if someone disagrees...
(separatist mindset, superficial issues)
I wore jeans this morning to service...This time I roused a rabble on purpose...
One Sunday morning, an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean...he wore jeans, a denim shirt, and boots that were very worn and ragged.
In his hand, he carried a worn out old hat and an equally well-worn, dog-eared Bible.
The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and fine jewelry.
As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled by his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.
As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached hima nd asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask Him what He thinks would be approapriate attire for worship in church." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, he showed up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the cowboy and said; "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church."
"I did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did He tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He said He'd never been in this church."
If a church doesn't live grace, of course God isn't there!
Cause God hangs out with people of grace!
2. God blesses people of grace!
Genesis 18:17 says that all nations on earth will be blessed thru Abraham...
Remember that song from kids church, sunday school: father Abraham had many sons...
(we had some fun singing it with the "kids")
Romans 4
Ephesians 2
When you have experienced the blessings of His amazing grace how can you not share the wealth?
Nothing can be added, nothing to subtract, Grace has nothing to do with us And this is just a fact. It's nothing that you bought, And nothing that is taught. It's nothing that you can lend, And nothing that you can spend. It's nothing that grows old, It is nothing that you hold. It is there when you feel it, It is there when you don't, It is there when you accept it And there when you won't. It is nothing that you can earn, And nothing that you learn. It is nothing that you choose, And nothing that you can loose. It is there in the morning, It is there late at night, It is there when you are on top of the world Or in your greatest fight. It's nothing about the clothes we wear Or the things that we do without, It has nothing to do with our appearance, That's not what grace is all about. Grace can be summed up as great riches At Christ's expense, And to the human part of his people, It just doesn't seem to make sense. Unmerited favor full of riches and beauty untold, And we may never understand it until We get to heaven and walk on streets of gold. It is nothing that you bring with you, When you kneel at the cross and pray, But once you accept the Lord Jesus Christ, Grace will never go away. By Cheryl P. Ellicott
God hangs out with people of grace...
God blesses people of grace...
And...
3. God responds favorably to people of grace!
Genesis 18 gives us apicture of Abe arguing with God for grace for Sodom and Gomorah.
Obviously God responded favorably, giving in time after time, moving from 50 to 10...
God was unable to grant Abraham's grace fully for the lasciviousness of Sodom and Gomorrah even squeezed out the number 10...
I wonder what would have happened if Abraham would have kept pressing beyond 10?
I don't know if you noticed but our world is looking more and more like Sodom and Gormorrah?!
Do you have grace enough to plead for the sinners surrounding you?
God is not willing that any should perish!
He's calling all of us to plead for the souls haning between heaven and hell...
This glimpse into Abraham's grace motivates me to try to follow in His footsteps so I may know the favor, blessing and presence of my God!
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